Bob Quick has done the honourable thing but it is a sad day for the Metropolitan Police

Assistant Commissioner Bob Quick has early this morning tendered his resignation, following yesterday’s incident in which his papers were photographed as he went into Downing Street. This was an honourable decision on his part, taken promptly and after mature decision overnight. He was not forced into it by anyone. Nonetheless, it is a sad day – not only for him, following a very distinguished police career – but also for the Metropolitan Police, who have lost an excellent Assistant Commissioner who has provided high-class leadership of the Specialist Operations Command internally but also nationally of counter-terrorist policing.